Luanda – The National Assembly on Thursday, in the Province of Luanda, passed in a special session the draft resolution that approves the designation of the number of representatives of political parties with parliamentary seats in the National Electoral Commission, with 23 votes in favour, one abstention and zero against.
The National Electoral Commission is made up of 17 members, 16 of whom are appointed by the National Assembly, by an absolute majority of the deputies in office, at the proposal of the political parties with parliamentary seats, in accordance with the principles of majority rule and respect for parliamentary minorities.
According to the proposal, the People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) is represented by nine seats, the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) by four, while the Social Renewal Party (PRS), National Front for the Liberation of Angola (FNLA) and Humanist Party of Angola (PHA) by one each.
However, the UNITA MPs did not take part in the vote and left the meeting room for not agreeing with the decision.
According to UNITA MP Adriano Sapinãla, in the light of the 2022 election results, it would not be UNITA alone to make three seats available due to the respect for the principle of minorities.
Therefore, he said, it does not make sense “to sacrifice only one party with three commissioners if the aim is to show solidarity, taking into account the principle of minorities”.
MGM/ART/MRA/jmc
